Smoke billowing from a forest fire in Puhu Puhi, Whakapara, in Northland, was spotted on Thursday afternoon.
Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Colin Underdown told Newshub about two hectares burned in the small blaze.
He also told Newshub the fire service has not yet determined why it started but the hot and dry weather could be the cause.
In a video sent to Newshub, a helicopter is shown dropping water onto the smoke.
Metservice forecaster Gerard Bellam told Newshub that warm temperature affects the sparking of forest fires.
The "trees and slash" on the ground receive radiant heat from the sun, which heats and dries potential fuels.
"Warmer temperatures allow for fuels to ignite and burn faster, adding to the rate at which a forest fires spreads," Bellam told Newshub.
Bellam also said forest fires tend to burn strongest in the afternoon when temperatures are at their hottest.
Strong gusty winds fan the flames and can spread hot embers large distances.
Bellam added that blustery winds make it more difficult for aircraft or helicopter operation to fight fires.
The helicopter has since been stood down.
